'Nine out of every 10 bets' at Coral are on David Moyes, right, taking over at Old Trafford

Bookmakers have unanimously installed David Moyes the odds-on favourite to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.

United confirmed on Wednesday that Ferguson is to stand down at the end of the season, ending his trophy-laden 26-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford. Bets on Everton boss Moyes surged in the wake of Wednesday's confirmation, the Scot coming in to 1/5 favourite with Coral from 7/4.

Jose Mourinho had been neck-and-neck in the betting, but the rush on Moyes has seen the pendulum swing, the Real Madrid boss now at 4/1 with a number of bookies, including Bet365, Skybet and Victor Chandler.

"Nine out of every 10 bets we are taking are being placed on Moyes but we can't be sure if this is a public reaction to the wall-to-wall media coverage which has put Moyes as a clear front runner or more informed money based on insider knowledge," said Simon Clare of Coral.

"These next manager markets can take on a rollercoaster-style life of their own, but if money talks than David Moyes is about to be given the biggest job in football."

Ladbrokes earlier installed Mourinho as their favourite at a price of 5/4, but they later joined their rivals in moving the Portuguese out to 4/1 as interest in Moyes increased.

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is regarded as the third favourite for most bookmakers, with Betfred offering odds of 12/1.

Former United players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (20/1) and Laurent Blanc (33/1) are also attracting some outside interest.

Coral playfully offer referee Howard Webb at odds of 1000/1 after he attracted Ferguson's ire in last weekend's defeat to Chelsea, while Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler (500/1, Bet Victor) and Kenny Dalglish (250/1, Sportingbet) are also available to those eager to throw their money away.

Your Comments

COMMENT RULES: Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or in bad taste are not acceptable and contributors who consistently fall below certain criteria will be permanently blacklisted. The moderator will not enter into debate with individual contributors and the moderator’s decision is final. It is Belfast Telegraph policy to close comments on court cases, tribunals and active legal investigations. We may also close comments on articles which are being targeted for abuse. Problems with commenting? customercare@belfasttelegraph.co.uk